Azadirachta indica

• Botanical Name : Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
• Common Name : Limbdo, Neem, Margosa
• Plant Family : Meliaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Sectors) : Everywhere

About Azadirachta indica Plant :

• Habit : A tall tree.
• Stem : The bark is dark greyish on the outside and reddish brown inside, and has numerous oblique furrows.
• Leaves : Alternate, exstipulate, compound, imparipinnate; 7 - 15 shortly stalked pinnae are lanceolate, oblique, serrate, acuminate, unicostate reticulate.
• Inflorescence : Axillary panicle
• Flowers :
  • Bracteate, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, complete, hypogynous, scented, disciferous.
  • Calyx made up of 5 sepals, gamosepalous, light green, valvate.
  • Corolla made up of 5 petals, polypetalous, imbricate.
  • An annular disc present between petals and stamens.
  • Androecium made up of 10, or 8 - 12 monadelphous, filaments unite to form a staminal tube seated at the base of annular disc, anthers dithecous, introrse.
  • Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, superior, trilocular, two ovules in each locule, axile placentation, style simple, stigma trifid.
• Fruit : Drupe
• Seed : Fruit one - seeded.
• Flowering and Fruiting time : February - June, March - August
• Significance :
  • All parts are bitter and are used for various purpose.
  • Twigs are used to brush teeth.
  • The bark and leaves have medicinal properties.
  • The neem oil is used in creams, hair lotions and soaps.
  • The dried leaves are used to prevent insects and pests.